Screech...


    With a desperate effort, Wang Xiao extended his hands forward, attempting to drag himself toward the freedom he glimpsed. However, a cruel realization seized him; his body was paralyzed.


    _____


    As Wang Xiaoy paralyzed, his consciousness teetering on the edge of the abyss, a surreal sensation enveloped him. His surroundings blurred, melting into a dreamscape of ethereal hues. Multiple versions of himself materialized, each embodying a facet of his quirky personality.


    One Wang Xiao, draped in a cosmic robe, floated above, wearing a party hat and juggling invisible objects, piped up, "Hey, remember that dream for hugging left and right? You really want to miss out on that wild ride? Death''s too boring, mate!"


    Another manifestation, sporting a mischievous grin, chimed in, "And what about your threesome goal, huh? You can''t cross that off the list if you''re stuck in this damned ce. Come on, mate, there are adventures to be had!"


    A third version, more solemn, emerged, "Remember that time you said you wanted to punch God in the face? Cuck him with his daughters and wives? Well, you won''t get that chance if you check out now."


    A fourth voice joined in, "Don''t forget your n to eat a whole pizza in one sitting!"—a seemingly trivial yet amusing aspiration that added to the mix.


    These voices, snippets of Wang Xiao''s dreams and desires, wove together into a symphony of motivation.


    The vision of the icy path, the escape route, became a symbolic representation of life''s possibilities.


    Each silly,ughable goal echoed like a beacon, urging Wang Xiao to resist the encroaching darkness.


    His inner selves, amalgamated echoes of his spirit, became his guiding lights in this liminal space between life and whatevery beyond.


    In the face of paralysis and the poison coursing through his veins, the voices carried him, eachughter-infused motivation resonating with the stubborn will to survive.


    "Haha... Cough...cough..."


    "Quit embarrassing me, you bunch of bastards... Cough..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open abruptly as he rose from the ground, the taste of grit and dust leaving a cranky sensation in his mouth. His body trembled, yet he mustered a grittyugh, pushing through the difort to take a few unsteady steps forward.


    Wang Xiao bravely nted his first foot on the snowy pathway, leaving the haunting forest behind. A mixture of relief and exhaustion painted a small, grateful smile on his face. However, the ground beneath him quickly turned red as his foot left a trail of blood in the pristine snow.


    Momentster, he copsed with a resounding *thud*.


    As he descended into unconsciousness, he found himself surrounded by versions of himself, each wearing a genuine smile.


    They congratted him, not with mockery but with genuine pride. In this surreal moment, Wang Xiao felt an unexpected alliance with his own shadows, grateful for pulling himself out of the dire situation.


    The vivid tableau of blood-stained snow, copsing body, and supportive shadows created a surrealst scene before his concisoness cked out.


    _______


    Beyond the snow-capped mountainsy a secluded country of its own, cradling a small river racing towards a hidden civilization. Despite the wintryndscape, farmers toiled in the fields, infusing the air with a serene countryside ambiance.


    In these fields, peculiar-looking grains thrived, resilient to all weathers, including the biting cold of the snow. This was thend of Xianthera.


    At the heart of this enigmatic realm stood its capital, Silvertide City.


    Nestled within the ancient medieval edifice of Silvertide City, a woman of profound mystique sat in a regal pose, her legs gracefully folded in the dignified dogza position. Bathed in the soft glow of ambient candlelight, she devoted herself to a parchment, her brush dancing elegantly with ink, etching the secrets of Xianthera onto the page.


    Her snow-white hair cascaded like a silken waterfall, seamlessly blending with the wintryndscape outside. It imparted an ethereal quality to her presence, as if she were an integral part of the snow-kissed surroundings.


    Eyes that had witnessed centuries of wisdom sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance, reflecting the depths of her knowledge and experience. Her baster skin, smooth as porcin, gave her an ethereal glow, entuating the striking contrast of her raven-ck attire.


    With an hourss figure thatmanded attention, her ample bosom entuated by the low cut of her garments invited desire and admiration. Her ivory skin, gleaming under the candlelight, further enhanced her allure, creating an intoxicating blend of elegance and sensuality.


    In the midst of her contemtive creation, an abrupt pause seized her, momentarily breaking the enchanting spell she cast upon the room.


    "Someone dared to breach the sacred barrier?"


    "... A Karmic Demon, perhaps?"


    "No, it can''t be."


    Eleanor''s face twisted with a mixture of concern and determination. With a grim resolve, she approached the window, threw it open, and took a daring step into the cool night air.


    Whoosh...


    As if plucked from the pages of a fantastical tale, Eleanor soared out of the window with a breathtaking disy of ethereal prowess, her feet untouched by the constraints of gravity.


    Soon, she arrived near the sacred barrier, her senses heightened and anxious eyes scouring for any ominous signs of impending devastation.


    The recollection of thest encounter with a Karmic Demon yed into her mind like a haunting melody– it had ruthlessly razed their once-thriving civilization, leaving indelible scars etched into the very soul of Xianthera.


    "What is that...? A student from the school?"


    Eleanor''s face tightened with stern concern, suspecting yet another student had breached the perimeter and recklessly ventured beyond.


    The prospect of having to erase memories loomed again.


    However, as her feet elegantly touched down near the mysterious figure, her expression shifted to one of surprise.


    Her hands hesitated momentarily before she gently maneuvered Wang Xiao, unveiling his face. "Who is he? I have never seen him in the vige..."


    Eleanor''s eyes blinked in astonishment, tracing the bloody marks that adorned him. A hushed whisper escaped her lips, "Did hee from outside?" A grim realization settled on her features, "His whole body is poisoned, how is he still alive?"


    Eleanor''s countenance darkened, for she knew the odds of Wang Xiao surviving the potent poison were minuscule at best.


    "Would he make it out alive...?" Eleanor''s genuine perplexity painted aplex expression on her face, caught between the cold logic of self-preservation and a lingering sense ofpassion.


    Initially battling with the idea of leaving Wang Xiao to his fate, she stood amidst the snowyndscape like a statue, the air heavy with uncertainty.


    A deep sigh escaped her lips, and, as if guided by a silent resolution, she raised her hands slightly. A gentle gust of wind swirled around Wang Xiao''s body, lifting it into the air.


    Whoosh!


    Eleanor, with Wang Xiao suspended in the ethereal breeze, soared back towards Silvertide Town. Their journey concluded at the circr building nestled at the heart of the town. A window, wide open in anticipation, beckoned them.


    Eleanor, with Wang Xiao''s body gracefully hovering behind her, entered the room directly.


    "Amelia," Eleanor addressed the woman seated at the desk in front.


    Amelia, with an air of surprise, raised her eyes. "Senior Eleanor!?" She stood up, her blue jade eyes reflecting curiosity, as Eleanor nodded with a faint smile, presenting Wang Xiao''s body. "Take a look at him."


    "W—who is he!?" Amelia took cautious steps forward, her gaze fixated on the golden glowing form of Wang Xiao. His clothes, torn apart during the flight, left his body exposed in all its magnificence.


    His regal disy extended to every detail, including his family jewels, which were now on full exhibition.


    Amelia, with a slight couch, knelt down to gently touch his skin. Her own face wore a grim expression, framed by dark raven hair cascading down her back. d in a simple white dress, her sizable breasts, though slightly smaller than Eleanor''s, stillmanded attention.


    Amelia''s stern countenance, led by precisely sculpted features and painted lips, added ayer of authority to her demeanor as she examined Wang Xiao with a critical eye.


    "So much poison has seeped into his body, Senior. Who is he...?" Amelia''s voice carried a tone of genuine concern, her eyes fixed on Wang Xiao, a mysterious figure thrust into their world.


    Eleanor, maintaining herposure, replied, "He is not from the vige but came from outside."


    Amelia''s eyes sparked with hostility, "Outside the barrier!?"


    Eleanor nodded in confirmation, "Right."


    Panic washed over Amelia''s face. "No, we should not keep him here. The people here can never know of the existence of the world outside."


    With measured steps, Eleanor approached, cing a gentle hand over Amelia''s shoulder to steady her. "Amelia," she called out softly, her voice a soothing balm.


    Amelia, still visibly rattled, stammered, "Y-Yes!?"


    Eleanor''s gaze bore into hers with intensity. "Who is the current head of the Ethics Committee?"


    Taken aback, a brief silence lingered as Amelia pressed her lips together. She hesitated before cautiously ncing around, ensuring no prying eyes were witnessing this revtion.


    Eleanor''s true identity remained a closely guarded secret, a powerful knowledge that carried weight within the intricate dynamics of their concealed world.


    "It''s you," Amelia finally admitted, nodding with a mixture of realization and respect.